Amazon.com: Fantasy Encyclopedia (9780753410875): Judy Allen: Books

More About the Author

Judy Allen is an award-winning author whose novel Awaiting Developments won the Whitbread Children's Novel Award. Judy Allen and illustrator Tudor Humphries created Kingfisher's award-winning Backyard Books series and many other successful books, including the Reading Rainbow selections Tiger and Seal.

Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good artwork but it isn't worth the money., June 4, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Fantasy Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This book is okay, but there could have been a little more information in it on (the pictures are huge and take up most of the page space). That being said, the artwork is great, but it doesn't compare to books like the Spiderwick Field Guide and Dragonology. If you're looking for something a little more complete, and something that is worth 25 dollars, don't buy this book.

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15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!!, November 21, 2005

By

floridagal "Megan" (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantasy Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This book is spectacular! With color pictures on every page, it illustrates nearly every creature of fantasy imaginable, from the Baba Yaga to the Cockatrice. Kids and adults of all ages will treasure this book.

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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, May 22, 2007

By

Jabberwocky "Parent/Librarian" (Arkansas, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantasy Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Fantasy Encyclopedia
by Judy Allen

Fantasy Encyclopedia is meant for Grades 4-8 students and library use. You'd expect a full-color large-format fantasy encyclopedia to be a wonderful library edition. But this book is disappointing in its scope and in its depth. The book is a guide to the creatures and peoples of fantasy, mythology, and folklore. Over 50 character types are covered in 9 chapters.

The chapters cover "The Little People," "Mysterious Animals," "Ghosts and Spirits," etc. Each major section in a chapter has a few introductory paragraphs followed by illustrations with captions. This by itself is not so bad, but the book then adds plugs for popular movies and books in which the creatures appeared. So you get disgenuine references to Narnia, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc. You don't get a real feel for how these creatures are used in fantasy. You do get the sense that references to Narnia, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings are placements. A more thorough treatment of the subject would have included much more detail and a better cross section with much better sampling.

Hopefully a revised and significantly expanded edition is in the works.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, but not a 5 star for me.
I have to say the book itself is gorgeous, but the content is not a 5 star. If I were going to judge the book solely on it's artwork then by all means 5 stars from me, but content... Read more

Published 12 months ago by Zephyr

4.0 out of 5 stars good for what it is
I bought this book after having checked it out of our local public library. The entries are (of necessity) brief, but that is just what I am looking for. Read more

Published on September 8, 2009 by Heiroglyphs

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Starting Point
The Fantasy Encyclopedia offers a brief history and colorful illustrations of hundreds of mythical creatures. Read more

Published on May 4, 2009 by Amelia

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader
Presumably this is aimed at children as a brief overview. Mostly a waste of time for anyone that knows anything about the topic, other than as a quick browse, or a chance to pick... Read more

Published on September 3, 2007 by Blue Tyson

5.0 out of 5 stars Good info
This is a pretty great book. We love all sorts of books full of facts... and this is one of them. Nice addition to any book collection.

Heather mama of 5

Published on August 14, 2007 by H. Hawkes

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Is Amazing!!!
If you love mythology/fantasy, then you're going to love this book. It makes it sound like these creatures actually do exist, and I know it has helped me. Read more

Published on August 11, 2007 by D. Neth

5.0 out of 5 stars I absolutely loved it... You have to get it
Thsi book was absolutely great. Very entertaining if you're quite bored. Also good for those who love reading mthys and legends.

Published on July 13, 2007 by Abdus Shahid

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Nice Book
This book was really nice. It had wonderful color pictures, and information on so many different things, with little notes and extra information all over the page. Read more

Published on May 11, 2007

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and complete
This lovely and informative book describes all kinds of creatures found in fantasy literature. It has beautiful pictures and tells when the creatures "came into being" (first seen... Read more

Published on April 21, 2007 by sunngrrl

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for fantasy fans!
This book has beauitful pictures, great amount of information that is easy to understand and read. I highly recommend this book to every and any fantasy fan! Read more

Published on January 19, 2006 by Robert "Robby"

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Elves, fairies, dwarves, goblins and their kind have been written and spoken of in every part of the world for centuries. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Little People, King Arthur, Old English, World War